IPNEWS: The Commander-in-Chief, of the Sierra Leone Army, President Julius Maada Bio, following his overnight return to the Sierra Leonean capital Freetown, days after protesters clashed with Police officers across Sierra Leone, has affected major changes within the Sierra Leone Armed Forces affecting ten senior officers.
The shakeup in the military high-command comes amid widespread rumors across Sierra Leone that there was a plan underway by some members of the Sierra Leone Armed Forces to stage a military takeover amidst Wednesday’s bloody protest which led to at least forty-two civilians and six senior police officers’ death.
According to a dispatch from the office of (Rtd.) Brigadier General, Julius Bio office, Major-General Peter K. Lavahun, is now promoted from Lieutenant General to Chief of Defense Staff, Brigadier General Christian F. Marah, is also promoted Major General and appointed chief of staff, Ministry of Defense, Brigadier General Dauda Alpha, is also promoted Major General and appointed Commander Joint Force.
Others appointed by the Commander-in-Chief of the Sierra Leone Army, Dr. Julius Maada Bio, include Brigadier General Abubakar Conteh, appointed Assistant Chief of Defense Staff, Colonel Michael S. Kamara, to Brigadier General and assistant chief of Defense staff.
Pres. Bio further appointed Captain of the Navy, Philip J. Juana, to Commodore and Assistant Chief of Defense Staff, while Group Captain, John A.S. Gbondo, was promoted to Air Commodore and Assistant Chief of Defense Staff.
The following Generals retired, including Lieutenant General Sullay I. Sasay, Brigadier General Ronnie B. Harleston, and Brigadier General Joseph S. Kaimapo.
Meanwhile, the retired Generals are now placed under house arrest according to family members from the Liberian Capital Monrovia speaking on condition of anonymity.
On late Wednesday, August 10, in the aftermath of widespread protest and destruction of major government facilities and police stations in the capital Freetown, the National Security Council headed by the Vice President ordered the Military to instill calm.
Amidst rising tension in neighboring Sierra Leone, for the stepdown of President Maada Bio, Sierra Leone, the military high-command of Sierra Leone took over several parts of the Capital Freetown hours after the government announced a full-force of dusk-to-dawn curfew across Sierra Leone.
As the military moved in, the chanting protesters called for peace but called for Maada Bio to go.
Later in the day on Wednesday, August 10, as violence spread across the city, a huge crowd overran police stations killing and burned down several of its facilities.
IPNEWS correspondent in the Sierra Leonian capital Freetown, says violent protests are still continuing across the city in direct defiance of the earlier pronouncement by the government on the imposition of a dust-to-dawn curfew.
According to reports, scrolls of dead bodies including youths and Police Officers have been seen in many parts of the capital following exchanges and live bullets by riot police, against civilians calling for President Marda Bio step down.
Internet access into the capital has been restored in many part of the country following days of cut-off, while a few are using international lines inside parts of the city.
IPNEWS contacts in Freetown, say the violence erupted following three days of country shutdown amidst skyrocketing prices of basic goods and commodities, including petroleum, and rice. Another issue sparking the riots early Wednesday is the continued absence of electricity and jobs.
The protest began after angry youths’ protestation against President Marda Bio uncountable foreign travels, while the country languishes in serious economic difficulties.
“The youth are hungry and lack basic human needs,” A shouting protester stated
The protest has turned the streets of Freetown bloody from corner to corner and it does not seem to be abating even with the reinforcement of the security apparatus.
Meanwhile, information coming in says, that protesting youths have vowed to fight with their blood amidst continued refusal by President Marda Bio to listen to their demands.
Protesters: “This action today has sent shock waves through the region of West Africa and to all ruling governments, that they must listen to the cries of the people- for the people are indeed the actual and should be the real beneficiaries of any leadership in power.”
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The government Minister of Information stated in a live video nationwide address stated that scrolls of people are fear dead, including Police officers in today’s bloody protest.
